St. John's Community News

Mental health support and Indigenous issues were among many topics brought up at a public consultation on education in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Tuesday evening. "It's frightening. We have more children coming in that are high need than ever ever before," retired teacher Paula Dawe told the 25 or so educators, parents and teachers at the meeting.

The St. John's Brier is just over a month away, and organizers are still looking for a few good people. Jamie Korab, 2006 Olympic curling gold medallist, says the volunteer committee needs more volunteers to hit its target of 500 people helping to host the Brier in St. John's March 4 to 12.

A steaming bowl of turkey soup will be on the menu Christmas Eve at the Adelaide Oyster House in St. John's, when chef and owner Steve Vardy opens the doors of his popular downtown restaurant to anyone who needs a free, heartwarming meal. "Anyone that just wants to wander in that feels comfortable, hopefully they do, can be greeted by a smile and a hug," Vardy told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show.

"The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest honour the province can award to its citizens," said Lt.-Gov. Frank Fagan, facing a room of the latest honourees and their closest supporters. An induction ceremony for nine people was held at Government House in St. John’s Wednesday, adding to a list of 82 previous recipients, dating back to 2004.

The initiative, which started in Moncton last year, aims to gift hard-working mothers who could use a little help with a few things for themselves: lip gloss, gum, nail files and tissues, for example, all stuffed in a gently-used purse. Renée Druggett, a friend of the woman who started the movement, has been organizing Princess and the Purse — Newfoundland this year. Her Coldwell Banker office in St. John’s is jam packed with donations, which her colleagues are helping to organize.

The Salvation Army in St. John's has provided hampers for families during the holiday season for years, but one volunteer says demand is expected to be higher than ever this Christmas. Major John Goulding said increased demand at food banks throughout the rest of the year has the Salvation Army preparing for a larger need for hampers during the holidays.